Aboard the Papal Airplane (CNN) - Pope Francis said Monday that he will not "judge" gays and lesbians, including gay priests, signaling a shift from his predecessor and offering another sign that the new pope is committed to changing the church's approach to historically marginalized groups.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis said in a wide-ranging news conference aboard the papal plane.

Though he was answering a question about the so-called "gay lobby" at the Vatican, the pope indicated a change in tone, if not in teaching, in the church's stance towards gays and lesbians more generally.

The pope was flying back to Rome from Brazil, where he spent the past week celebrating World Youth Day, an international Catholic event that drew millions.

Taking questions from reporters aboard the plane, the pope addressed nearly every hot-button issue facing the Roman Catholic Church: its alleged "gay lobby," Vatican bank corruption, the role of women, abortion, homosexuality and his own personal security.

But it was the pope's remarks on homosexuality - the fact that the head of a 1 billion-member church said that it's not his place to judge gays - that caused the widest stir.

"Pope Francis's brief comment on gays reveals great mercy," said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor at America, a Catholic magazine based in New York.

The pontiff spoke for an hour and a half in the back of the plane that was carrying him back to Italy after his first international trip as pope to Brazil, where he was greeted by massive, frenzied crowds at every turn.

"I'm happy. It has been a beautiful trip, spiritually speaking; it has been good to me. I'm tired enough but with a heart full of joy," he said.

Here are the highlights from his press conference.

On the 'gay lobby' and homosexuality

The pope addressed the issue of an alleged "gay lobby" within the church. Hints that the Holy See contained a network of gay clergy surfaced last year in reports about a series of embarrassing leaks to Italian journalists.

The "Vatileaks" scandal factored in Benedict's shocking decision to resign this year, according to some church experts, as it impressed upon the 86-year-old pontiff that the modern papacy requires a vigorous and watchful presence.

"There's a lot of talk about the gay lobby, but I've never seen it on the Vatican ID card!" Francis said.

"When I meet a gay person, I have to distinguish between their being gay and being part of a lobby. If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them? They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency (to homosexuality) is not the problem ... they're our brothers."

The problem, he said was, lobbies that work against the interest of the church.

In 2005, during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican issued directives barring from the priesthood men "who are actively homosexual, have deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.'"

Francis' brief remarks seem to signal a sharp shift from that policy.

On women

The pope also spoke out about the role of women in the church, saying it needs to be deeper and not end. But he brushed aside the possibility of ordaining women as priests, saying the church had spoken on the matter: "The church says no. That door is closed." He did say that more work needed to be done theologically on the role of women in the church.

On abortion

Pope watchers have noted that Francis said little to nothing about abortion on his trip to Brazil. Abortion is illegal in Brazil, except for cases in which the health of the mother is at risk. Laws were recently changed to allow abortions in cases in which the child would be born with certain life-threatening birth defects.

The pope said he had nothing to say on the trip about abortion because the church teachings against it were clear and this trip was the time for "positive" news.

On divorce

"I believe this is a time of mercy, a change of epoch," the pope said when asked about divorce. He said the group of eight cardinals tasked with reform will explore the issue of whether divorcees can receive Communion, which they are currently barred from doing.

On the Vatican Bank

The pope conceded he was unsure what to do with the Vatican Bank, which is known by its acronym IOR.

"Some say that it would be better if it were a bank, others say that it should be a foundation. Other say to shut it down. These are the suggestions going around. I don't know. I trust the commission's members that are working on the IOR. But I wouldn't be able to tell you how this story is going to end."

And as for what was in the black leather bag he carried onto the plane? A razor, a prayer book, a diary and a book about St. Theresa, but, the pope joked, "Certainly not the keys to the atomic bomb!"

He said he carried his own bags because, "It's normal, we have to be normal. We have to be accustomed to being normal."

soundoff(3,302 Responses)

Alright!
Finished up work a bit early, and now have some time to do some xtian bashing!!

Cause you know us atheists love ourselves some of that!
It is what we do when we are not in g ay leather bars plotting the overthrow of the US government.

Isn't that how you xtians think of us?

July 30, 2013 at 12:09 pm |

Misterwire

The Bible is very clear but these so called popes think they can change it just because they are wearing long dresses they bought from women clothing shops. The church is there to promote holiness and not about increasing church attendance and membership. All these popes have failed miserably to call a spade what it is, “a spade” and God will not remember their work either.

July 30, 2013 at 11:42 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

lol the book was not written by a god....it was written by men.

July 30, 2013 at 11:57 am |

niknak

You have it wrong misternoodle, the babble is so unclear on purpose so it can be interpreted in any way a fundie needs to suit his/her purpose.
Face it bro, you bought into a Ponzi scheme, where you are the mark.

July 30, 2013 at 12:11 pm |

Richard Cranium

"The Bible is very clear "

Hilarious. The bible is not clear on this even a little bit.

July 30, 2013 at 12:34 pm |

Stoic

Want to tell me exactly where in the Bible that Jesus said anything at all about gay people? I can't find it. Jesus must not have been very clear.

July 30, 2013 at 12:44 pm |

EricF

Exactly, I'd also add that Jesus himself gave mankind two commandments: 1. Love God, and 2. Love your neighbor. Now I'm pretty sure he meant for us to love ALL our neighbors, not just the holy, straight, white, republican, supercool ones.

July 30, 2013 at 2:14 pm |

Ohmeohmi

God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Who the Pope is to judge, is what some consider the representative of
God on this Earth. I am not Catholic, but have read a lot about the Vatican, the Pope, believe it or not has authority
over EVERY ruler on this planet...LEGALLY...The Queen in England and Obama are both subject to his will...that is
amazing...and not right either...If he has no standards then what is the point of his position?

July 30, 2013 at 11:54 pm |

Truth Prevails :-)

LGBT children come from hetero couples. Educate yourself in reality and the 21st century and stop the bigotry.

July 31, 2013 at 7:08 am |

The Truth

Jesus stated, “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ [a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’ [b] ? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 NIV

July 31, 2013 at 6:49 am |

The Truth Hurts

One thing you need to understand fully about Matthew 19:4-6 is that Jesus is talking to and about Straight people and their interactions in that Scripture. He is not talking about Gays and Lesbians. Therein lies the difference. He never spoke a word against Gay or Lesbian people. Not one. So that Scripture does not apply to them and should not be used inappropriately and with prejudice to discriminate against them.

July 31, 2013 at 9:10 pm |

Jesus-Loves-Gays-But-NOT-The-Sin

Sorry, Stoic, CNN won't let me post where you can find this proof you ask for. I've tried several times to no avail to give you actual references. But trust me, it's in there!

August 1, 2013 at 5:03 pm |

Jesus-Loves-Gays-But-NOT-The-Sin

Romans 1

August 1, 2013 at 5:05 pm |

Jesus-Loves-Gays-But-NOT-The-Sin

Leviticus 18

August 1, 2013 at 5:06 pm |

Nancy Brian

Thank you for your references in Mathew 19, Romas 1, and Leviticus 18. The sins are clearly stated.

August 5, 2013 at 5:40 am |

Keith

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, the bible is NEVER CLEAR. If it was clear then there would be no need for all the arguments over what the bible really means.

August 4, 2013 at 6:38 pm |

Mr. Duckworth

The mass media and CNN is trying to manipulate the Pope's comments again to mean more than they did: All the Pope did was re-iterate the current stance and said we will respond with respect to all people regardless of how they're oriented – BUT they key is; he did not say openly Gay and actively Gay people will be agreed with, and accepted as a valid life style or as valid marriage. Nothing really has changed.

July 30, 2013 at 10:37 am |

snowboarder

as long as they don't actively work to deny hom ose xuals rights, we are all ok with that.

July 30, 2013 at 10:38 am |

Barry

The Pope can't win on this issue....he's right in not judging anyone, but knowing the past history of the church and the thousand upon thousand of young boys preyed upon by these priests......

1) What is the gay lifestyle? I keep asking this question, but no one can answer me.
2) As snowboarder said, as long as they are not actively working to deny rights to gay people, I have nothing to say.
3) However, speaking out against equal rights, be it marriage rights or anything else, belays the sentiment that it is not for him to judge, casting him as a liar.
4) Regardless of the Catholic stance on being gay, the law in the US is independent of Catholic dogma.

July 30, 2013 at 11:04 am |

Truth Prevails :-)

I simply want to know that if they looked outside their belief, which I understand is hard to do, would they find reason to hate? I would love to know what harm these people believe that the LGBT is causing and to have it backed with evidence not coming from their holy book. If these people took a long hard look and weighed the evidence against their belief, they might just see how wrong it is.

When pressed to really examine why they hate, most will either discover that they find gay intercourse "icky" (meaning, guess what? You're straight!) or that they have nothing on which to hang their hate.

I cannot stand that term, "gay lifestyle". There is no gay lifestyle any more than there is a hetero lifestyle. It's just life.
Just let people BE.

July 30, 2013 at 11:28 am |

niknak

The can't Akira.
Xtians get up in peoples affairs just like noisy neighbors in some gated community do to make sure you are "following" the rules.
But the xtian is worse, because he is using rules that are fabricated, not voted on by the rest, and change when he deems they need to be changed.

July 30, 2013 at 12:21 pm |

Stellamaris Chy

No one has the right to judge. Nobody's blood is worth cleanse of sins but for Jesus Christ the humble Lamb. The scriptures made it clear that we shall be doers of God's word

July 30, 2013 at 10:25 am |

snowboarder

that whole blood sacrifice thing is pretty absurd. how barbaric is this good of yours?

July 30, 2013 at 10:27 am |

Misterwire

The Bible is very clear but these so called popes think they can change it just because they wear long dresses from women clothing shops. The church is there to promote holiness and not about increasing church attendance and membership. All these popes have failed miserably to call a spade what it is, “a spade” and God will not remember their work either.

July 30, 2013 at 11:41 am |

Last

The Bible is anything but "clear".

July 30, 2013 at 1:20 pm |

What is going on? FREEDOM

You believe in a free country, yet you follow an ideology with a dictatorship mentality.

July 30, 2013 at 10:30 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

lol you mean the word of the men who wrote it, right?

July 30, 2013 at 10:30 am |

Divdar

Does it really matter if you don't believe? If someone can use Jefferson writtings, or O'Hare quotes, or Dr. Suess to set their moral standards, why can't they use the writtings of Jesus?

July 30, 2013 at 10:59 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

because Jesus never wrote those things....MEN did over many years. MEN edited the book over more time. Is it really hard to grasp?

July 30, 2013 at 11:21 am |

bubba

mmm the historians wrote about Thomas Jefferson and George Washington and I am willing to bet you believe they were real people ????? yes, men wrote the bible under Gods instructions and yes it was also preserved for man....really ?? He is God !!

August 3, 2013 at 4:29 pm |

Stevie49

An omnipotent god cannot make a sacrifice – or else he/she/it wouldn't be omnipotent by definition. So, your god is either impotent or doesn't exist. I'll go with the latter.

July 30, 2013 at 10:54 am |

Truth Prevails :-)

"The scriptures made it clear that we shall be doers of God's word"

Those scriptures tell you to beat your children, that it is okay to own slaves, that it is okay for a rapist to marry his victim, that women should not speak in church and so much more. Do you, as a 'doer of gods word', obey all of that?

July 30, 2013 at 10:58 am |

The Truth

"Fathers, [a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." Colossians 3:21

July 31, 2013 at 6:56 am |

Observer

The Truth,

Are you going to answer his question?

August 1, 2013 at 1:36 am |

Mountaineer49

Albert Einstein once had this to say about the plight of the church of England: "In its infancy is it upon the end, for demise is inevitable to the incredulous myths of sorrow."

I first read it 37 years ago and it has always stuck with me.

July 30, 2013 at 10:06 am |

blindbear

Who is he to judge? Maybe God's personal representative on the planet? (according to the legend, anyway)

July 30, 2013 at 9:50 am |

Pro Death

Problem with gay's? No. Problem with child molesting priests? Yes.

July 30, 2013 at 9:46 am |

Thomas

i'm still wondering why he did this at XX Thousand feet up, for 82 minutes (of the rest)

🙂

well, would be nice to know the entirety, so as not to be "skewed" by the liberal media with facts taken out of context, again.

besides,

what does this say about resisting temptation?

its ok to "view" someone as gay,

just not to "act" (and be?) that way?

and *and* gay priests?

in the catholic church?

i'm starting to wonder if all of what he said is *true* to this,

the papacy is the new revolving door of political innuendo, popes to sign and cough their way in and out the papal office lol

being serious.

this conversation needs to be read in its entirety!

~peace

thomas 🙂

July 30, 2013 at 9:36 am |

TG

It is of great interest how Pope Francis answers questions regarding morals, saying "the church says" rather than following Jesus example, "It is written" (Matt 4:4, 7, 10; 11:10; 21:13; 26:31), or "Did you not read" (as at Matthew 12:3, 5; 19:4; 22:31), pointing his listeners to God's word (specifically here the Hebrew Scriptures, commonly called the "Old Testament").

Jesus did not give a personal opinion on any subject but rather always directed his listeners to God's word, the Bible, as for example at John 10, whereby the Jews said that Jesus made himself "a god", with Jesus responding: "Is it not written in your Law (where ?, at Psalms 82), I said: "You are gods ?"(John 10:33, 34)

And of the question of divorce, whether "divorced people can receive communion", Jesus said that divorce is acceptable to our Creator, Jehovah God, when fornication has been committed by either mate. He told the Jews: "Moreover it was said, ' Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' However, I say to you that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of fornication, makes her a subject for adultery, and whoever marries (a wrongfully) divorced woman commits adultery."(Matt 5:31, 32)

When fornication has been committed by either mate, the innocent mate has the right to remarry if they so choose and still have God's favor, for the guilty mate has adulterated the marriage.

July 30, 2013 at 9:33 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

the bible is not gods word. its the word of the men who wrote it.

July 30, 2013 at 9:42 am |

Erasmus

So you live life by Websters? Or do you attack that book as well, surely Websters Dictionary was written to poison the masses, i mean, its not inspired, so it can't be correct right?

July 30, 2013 at 1:14 pm |

OTOH

I am not aware of anyone who promises "eternal damnation" for disagreeing with Webster's.

July 30, 2013 at 1:34 pm |

cricker

He doesn't refer to the bible bc even knows they were a bunch of made up stories not written until hundreds of years after the fact and you know how well people repeat stories sitting at a table none the less over a hundred years. He knows its a great fiction book

July 30, 2013 at 9:57 am |

remy730

He's right, it's not for him to judge. But being that he's the pope, it IS his job to read and he can start with 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. This has nothing to do with judging, only pointing out print in a book that people are free to follow or not follow if they choose to.

July 30, 2013 at 9:25 am |

midwest rail

So you'll be leading the charge to make divorce and adultery illegal, right ?

July 30, 2013 at 9:28 am |

ko

Has adultery and divorce made society better?

July 30, 2013 at 9:37 am |

midwest rail

Where did I say it had ?

July 30, 2013 at 9:39 am |

Divdar

Nobody said anything about making it illegal. Only that it is wrong, just like adultery.

July 30, 2013 at 10:57 am |

Doc Vestibule

In the original Greek, the terms used in Corinthian's list of vices that are sometimes translated as "hom-ose.xual" are 'malakoi' and 'ar.senkoitai'.
Until the Reformation in the 16th century and in Roman Catholicism until the 20th century, malakoi was thought to mean "mas.turb.ators." Only in the 20th century has it been understood as a reference to hom.ose.xuality.
'Ar.senokoitai' referred to male prosti.tutes for Paul and Christians until the 4th century.

July 30, 2013 at 9:32 am |

snowboarder

if mastur bation is a sin i have my own monument in hell.

July 30, 2013 at 9:45 am |

John

"1 Corinthians 6:9-11. "

1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul gave a list of those who would not inherit the Kingdom of God. That list included the immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and robbers. Sexual perverts is a translation of two words; it is possible that the juxtaposition of malakos, the soft, effeminate word,
with arsenokoitus, or male prostitute. It had nothing to do with homosexuality, but male prostitution.

July 30, 2013 at 9:35 am |

not my chair

i still dont quite understand how Religious people can view everyone as a sinner but follow their church so blindly and un-corruptible

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July 30, 2013 at 9:19 am |

bill davis

A priest were and still are child molesters, we never did blame them so why should we care now,

July 30, 2013 at 9:13 am |

sidb1980

While I do agree with Matthew 7:1 – judge not, lest ye be judge, let us not forget 7:15 – be cautious of those who come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. People have an agenda and that is what you must be aware of. What is the agenda here? First, what is the issue: Priest is gay? How can that be if priest are to be celibate? Okay, so let's say – he means people in general can be gay – okay. fine. But do we then consider that no longer a sin that a person struggles with and needs help to overcome. aka repentance? Is it not like adultery? Lying? Theft? Murder? All sin is the same in regards to level, unlike man's law that has misdemeanor and felonies. I am a sinner. I struggle with problems, but I try to correct those faults while yet, I am saved by the blood of Jesus. I am not saved by doing good deeds. If a person doesn't consider this a sin then, while I disagree, I do leave that between them and God. Yet, where does that stop? A murderer too may not consider their acts a sin but a genetic disorder, diseases. We do need to help each other, but I fear the 7:15 – agenda is more at point here than people needing support as they figure out who they are and what God wants them to be and to do.

July 30, 2013 at 9:00 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

I hope you realize that the words you quote were written and edited by MEN with an agenda.....food for thought.

July 30, 2013 at 9:07 am |

snowboarder

no hom ose xuality is not like criminal acts. "sin" is just a made up word to control the actions of others.

July 30, 2013 at 9:09 am |

not my chair

what makes the people you quote any different than the people now that say they hear the word of god? Charles manson told people he spoke to god

July 30, 2013 at 9:23 am |

snowboarder

the only difference between a prophet and a mental patient is simply the gullibility of those that surround him.

July 30, 2013 at 9:30 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

what makes you think people are truthful when they say they were inspired by god?

July 30, 2013 at 9:41 am |

publicdole

Yea, who are you. You sure are not a Christian leader. Nothing more than a protector of perverts!

July 30, 2013 at 8:59 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

oh you mean all the pedophile priests that have been protected over the years?

July 30, 2013 at 9:08 am |

Frank

Simple message of the gospel. For God so loved the world he gave His only begotten son that who ever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. Will some reject this message of love and salvation? Indeed many will. Narrow and difficult is the way that leads to eternal life and few find it. God will never change his Word or standard to satisfy our desire to sin and live unaccountable lives, For He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore neither is He man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent. For heaven and earth will pass away but His word will abide forever.

So we can ridicule His word, abuse the content of the bible, jests, make fun, be sarcastic, abuse Him by committing blasphemy, it will not change a thing. It would not redefine sin. He is Almighty God and He rules over all. We should rather taste and see that The Lord is good. He loves us and desires the best for those who are obedient to Him. For a certainty He will judge sin for we shall all appear before Him to give account. Ok I am silly to believe this some of you are saying right? Only time will tell and that time draweth neigh.

July 30, 2013 at 8:54 am |

Manfred

Ok I am silly to believe this

You are 100% correct.

July 30, 2013 at 8:58 am |

frank

I have you guys all figured out. Why the hostility? afraid of the truth? the satanist Aleister Crowley's dogma was do what thou wilt. That is man for you. rebellious and disobedient. So your reaction is quite normal I am unfazed.

July 30, 2013 at 9:27 am |

Manfred

It is you who is afraid of the truth Frank. I am neither rebellious, nor disobedient, and the concept of satan is as silly as the concept of god. Open your eyes and study some history, and maybe you'll realize that you've bought into a scam. I doubt you will, but isn't it worth a try?

July 30, 2013 at 9:39 am |

Manfred

If you’re so well versed in history, then you must know that a lot of the stories told in the bible are nothing more than plagiaries of earlier Mesopotamian myths.

July 30, 2013 at 12:48 pm |

frank

What history are you referring to so I can read it. I happen to have done history for my A'levels and at university so I will be quite interested in that. If however you are referring to Charles Darwin on evolution, spare me. I neither descended from a tadpole that later became an ape. You seem to be an atheist you believe in nothing. What a pity. I hope you believe you have a mind that you cannot see.

July 30, 2013 at 9:55 am |

Which God?

Oh, so sorry, Frank, your primitive views on a sky-fairey are so, so amusing. Tell me, Frank, do you blieve in bigfoot? How about Hercules? How about sacifices of living creatures, for atonements and favors? Do those pillars still hold the world up? What happens if one should break? I guess you weren't in school when they taught history, right?

July 30, 2013 at 9:02 am |

frank

Your reaction is so normal. You get abusive, defensive, and angry, Ok I am a primitive person created by God. You are an intelligent person who descended from a tadpole who later became an ape. Great! Where is the wise man, where is the scholar, where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of this world? So keep on arguing, keep on being abusive its fine. I would not debase myself to start calling you names.

July 30, 2013 at 9:40 am |

religion; a way to control the weak minded

no, you are a person who believes in the word of other primitive people. The bible is not the word of a god. Sorry 😥

July 30, 2013 at 9:44 am |

Pete

"Your reaction is so normal. You get abusive, defensive, and angry, "

No Frank there is no anger in that post, Christians have to read that into it because they've been brainwashed by their religion that anyone who doesn't agree with them is angry, that simply isn't true. You have to ask yourself why you choose to read anger into posts that disagree with you. The anger is your problem, not theirs.

July 30, 2013 at 9:45 am |

frank

Ok! know how you guys work. A bunch of atheist scan all the post to attack anyone speaking the truth. Sorry mates, I remain unfazed. You are all wise and all knowing. Clap for yourselves "intelligent men".

July 30, 2013 at 10:04 am |

snowboarder

@frank, "speaking the truth" that's a knee slapper.

July 30, 2013 at 10:26 am |

not my chair

yes he does love us that is why there are children born with terminal illnesses. praise god!

July 30, 2013 at 9:15 am |

Mark M

Just a question. If the Pope is supposed to be the direct link to God, why doesn't he know????

July 30, 2013 at 8:52 am |

Terik Ororke

The Pope is infallible when speakig on faith and morals and claims that is what he is doing. It is usually a doctrinal matter. Jesus told us not to judge or do you bel;ieve the part of his message that you accept and reject that part?

July 30, 2013 at 9:02 am |

publicdole

Now I understand why so many thing organized religion is a joke. Nothing more than controlling those that are so ignorant to believe their BS. Notice they they don't visit intelligent societies.

July 30, 2013 at 8:51 am |

Tom

Brazilians are smarter than americans... they are just not as materialistic as americans.
How exactly do you measure "intelligence"? By how much money they have? Or by being pretentious, based on your 'great' knowledge of how everything works?

July 30, 2013 at 9:01 am |

TiredOfPaying

This Pope is the first Jesuit Pope (barring the Black Pope when the Jesuits split from mainstream Roman Catholics.) The Jesuits are the BEST teachers in the entire world. What you have is an extremely educated and intelligent man in charge. If you're really interested in intelligence take a look at the history of the Jesuits. I doubt you can find an organization that is better educated or that educates better then the Jesuits.

July 30, 2013 at 9:37 am |

publicdole

There go the 10 commandments. Do not covet thy neighbor's wife.

July 30, 2013 at 8:49 am |

Oh boy!

I don't covet my neigbors wife, she came over to my place, invited herself in, and stayed for several hours. Oh boy, some neigbor!

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.